Richard Montgomery High School: Serious Incident Information

April 6, 2017 Message from Jack R. Smith, Superintendent of Schools Regarding the Arrest of Mark Yantsos on Allegations of Sexual Abuse of a Minor

Dear Community:

“The allegations against Mark Yantsos, the security team leader at Richard Montgomery High School, are disturbing. As Principal Monteleone stated in his letter to the community (included below), the behavior described in the charging document “represents an irreparable breach of trust, ethics and the law.” Any adult who abuses their position and takes advantage of our students has no place in our schools or community.

“Additionally, it has come to our attention that in 1994, Mr. Yantsos was accused of using his revolver to menace a female while working for the New York Police Department. We have provided this information to the police.

April 6, 2017 Message from Damon Monteleone, Principal - Serious Incident at Richard Montgomery High School

Dear Parents/Guardians:

I am writing to inform you about the arrest of Mr. Mark Yantsos, the security team leader at Richard Montgomery High School, on charges of one count of sexual abuse of a minor and one count of 4th degree sex offense. The charges stem from an alleged inappropriate relationship between Mr. Yantsos and a 17-year-old Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) student.

MCPS has been fully cooperating with Child Protective Services, the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD), and the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office on this matter. Pursuant to our memorandum of understanding with these agencies and MCPS policies and regulations, the Special Victims Investigations Division of MCPD requested us not to share any details broadly with the community until now to avoid prejudicing the ongoing investigation.